Nyeri County is gearing up to launch a Sh500 million agriculture value chain project that is expected to transform market access and production for more than 100,000 farmers across the region. The initiative, funded by the World Bank through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), is among the largest agricultural investments the county has seen in recent years. Governor Mutahi Kahiga confirmed that the county will contribute Sh20 million toward the rollout, which is scheduled to begin this month and will target five key value chains: coffee, bananas, avocados, Irish potatoes, and dairy.
The new programme builds on the momentum created by earlier national agriculture initiatives, including the National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). According to the governor, these projects significantly boosted productivity in areas such as Mukurwe-ini and Kieni, helping smallholder farmers transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Over 134,000 farmers have already been identified for NAVCDP support, which will focus on improving production efficiency, introducing climate-smart practices, and strengthening cooperative structures. The county also plans to invest more in food security interventions, including improved water management systems and expanded value addition facilities to enhance the competitiveness of Nyeri’s agricultural products.
County officials and agricultural stakeholders say the initiative is poised to reshape Nyeri’s farming landscape by improving water harvesting, promoting efficient irrigation technologies, and scaling up access to climate-resilient seeds. Beyond farmers, the programme is expected to benefit a wider network of value chain actors, including extension officers, aggregators, logistics providers, and small and medium enterprises involved in processing and distribution. With global markets placing greater emphasis on traceability and quality, officials believe that the new project could position Nyeri as a national leader in high-value agricultural exports. As implementation begins, farmers and cooperatives are optimistic that the investment will expand market linkages, enhance incomes, and strengthen the county’s resilience to climate shocks in the years ahead.